Nissan Murano Z53

After more than a decade, the Nissan Murano has returned as a fully imported model straight from the USA. It appears that Nissan is aligning with Toyota in selling American-made Japanese cars, aiming to maintain healthy trade relations between Japan and the United States.

2026 Nissan Murano

Starting at 7,964,000 Japanese Yen, not including additional costs, the Nissan Murano Z53 is positioned as a more expensive option compared to the Lexus RX350 Version L. This model marks the return of Nissan's controversial midsize coupe-style SUV to the Japanese market after a decade-long absence. Its comeback highlights what Japan has missed during its time away.

2026 Nissan Murano

2026 Nissan Murano interior

The Murano Z53 retains coupe-style proportions while featuring ultra-thin "Crystal Cube" LED headlights and a sleek gloss-black trim strip. Its V-motion graphic includes LED daytime running lights cleverly integrated into the grille for a modern look. The liftgate boasts a clean design with a hidden rear wiper, concealed exhaust tips, and a lower bumper license plate holder. A striking LED tail light element spans the rear, creating a unique nighttime signature.

The Murano Z53 comes equipped with a range of impressive features. Inside, you'll find ventilated, massaging front seats, dual 12.3-inch displays powered by Google, and smartphone connectivity. The interior also boasts 64-color ambient lighting and a color heads-up display (HUD). Unlike its predecessors, the Murano Z53 is offered only in left-hand-drive configuration, just like today's Toyota Tundra.

In terms of cargo space, the Murano offers 32.9 cubic feet of storage with the second-row seats raised, and 63.5 cubic feet when the seats are lowered. A standard power liftgate is included.

2026 Nissan Murano

The Murano Z53 is the first Nissan vehicle sold in Japan to feature the KR20DET 2.0L VC-Turbo engine. This engine generates 245 PS of power and 352 Nm of torque. It is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission that includes paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience. Additionally, idle stop-start technology comes as standard.

Underneath, the Murano Z53 is nearly as sophisticated as a German luxury crossover thanks to its standard 4WD system, rack and pinion steering, front struts, rear multilink suspension, and ventilated disc brakes.

For safety, the Murano Z53 includes a wide variety of safety features, such as ProPILOT Assist, which combines Intelligent Cruise Control with Steering Assist for more convenient highway driving, a 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor, and an Invisible Hood View, among others.

A decade of comebacks warrants a comprehensive explanation from Nissan. The Murano Z53 aims to uphold luxury in the Nissan style. However, with its high price, which exceeds that of the Lexus RX, along with questionable styling, a left-hand drive-only configuration, and performance concerns, it’s challenging to convey the value of this new model to Japanese motorists who previously owned a Murano. Only time will tell how this model will be received.

Available Colors: Turquoise Blue, Prism White, and Super Black.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Murano Z51 Mode Bianco

2012 Nissan Murano 350XV Four Mode-Bianco

Meet the whiter side of the Nissan Murano Z51. Created by Autech Japan, the special edition "Mode-Bianco" puts the color "Bianco" on the Nissan Murano Z51. What's that you ask? White lights, white interior, Bose Sound System, and a choice of 20-inch or 18-inch rims all colored white. This special model is available only in Japan this February 9.

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/971539/

Nissan Murano Z51 Facelift

What an unbelievable stroke of unluckiness among Filipino owners of the Nissan Murano Z51, launched in the Philippine market last year, because this Kanagawa-based car maker has pulled the wraps of the Nissan Murano Z51's minor change, and we are disappointed that Japan now has the latest revision of the Nissan Murano Z51 just like from Europe and in the North America.

2012 Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano Z51 was launched in Japan since September 2008 and it was the crossover that gave birth to the Nissan Premium Factory range, a range consisting the finest luxury Nissan models such as the Fairlady Z Z34, Fuga Y51, Skyline V36, and the Elgrand E52. The Murano Z51 is now mildly redesigned to appeal the wealthy buyers who are experiencing more than just LA-Z-BOY recliners and bottomless iced teas. This crossover is at the center of its business-class stage because of its sports car-like performance and luxury car-like conveniences.

2012 Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano Z51's face-lift features a redesigned grille, aggressive headlamps, new aggressive front bumper, and sporty rear lamps that provides exceptional elegance for the Z51's minor facelift.

2012 Nissan Murano interior

Nothing's different about the interior because the Nissan Murano Z51 face-lift remains the interior but there is a slight change on the fine vision meters. The Nissan Murano Z51 offers BOSE Sound System for top-class sound quality executives love to listen to. It offers a dual sunroof for a breezing atmosphere while an executive tries to read a book in a middle of a heavy traffic. A Mild Flow System is equipped for enhanced air-conditioning inside the Murano Z51. This is somewhat good to cool down while taking a trip through EDSA.

The Nissan Murano Z51 offers two distinctive engine types to choose from; a flagship VQ35DE (3.5L V6) engine, which produces a power output of 260PS/6000rpm and the fuel economy of 9.3km/L (4WD), and the entry level QR25DE (2.5L) engine, which produces 170PS of power output and the fuel economy of 11.6km/L (2WD). This crossover is equipped with Nissan's innovative XTRONIC CVT for maximized fuel economy when you need it. An available XTRONIC CVT-M6 is added on the Murano Z51 for sporty performance. The Nissan Murano Z51 comes with the ALL-MODE 4x4-i (Yaw Moment Control) for all-round cruising on any road conditions.

My thoughts about the Murano:
Ms. Elizabeth Lee, senior vice president of Universal Motors Corporation, you made a wrong move about the Murano Z51. What you bring last year is the old, pre-face-lift model, now in Japan, since January 20, 2011, what they did is the facelifted Murano Z51 is out and scheduled for Japanese sale this early February. Please do something about that Murano Z51! This Murano Z51 we had in the Philippines is old now and we need the face-lifted version, just like the Japanese have, now!

I hope Elizabeth Lee, the senior vice president of UMC, will take my memo and realizing it was a bad move and bad timing that we were far from the schedule about the Murano Z51's launch and I just hope that the latest face-lift of the Murano Z51 will appeal more buyers than the Lexus RX 350.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.